Technology Committee

Meeting Minutes

Columbia College

February 28, 2008 – Tamarack Hall Staff Room

 

 

Attending:  Fred Grolle; Melissa Colon; Mike Torok; Don Smith; Brian Greene;  Cass Larkin; Kelley Marshall; Josh Bigelow; Robert Gritz; Brian DeMoss; Ida Ponder

 

1.  IT Plan Update

                Suggested changes were received from only one committee member.  The Technology & Media Services Administrative Secretary has made the two spelling and formatting corrections.  Draft is further awaiting clarification regarding a specific term from the Interim Director of Technology requiring possible further change.  There were no substantial changes requested.  Once clarification has been received, the IT Plan is ready for submission.

 

                NEEDED ACTION:  Finalize Draft Technology Plan.

 

2.  Front Page/Faculty Web Pages Update

                Soon Front Page will no longer be supported by District.  In the future, District IT will offer training and user support for Microsoft Expression Suite only.  MJC (now contracted with Interact) will be going with OmniUpdate-Campus Edition.  Because of timelines, it is no longer a viable option for Columbia to piggyback onto MJC’s contract.  Columbia College needs to determine which software should be purchased to administer our web pages, the choices being either Dream Weaver or Microsoft Expression Suite.

 

                NEEDED ACTION:  Committee needs to determine software for website management. 

 

  3.  Computer Replacement Plan (CPR)

                There was extensive discussion related to hardware and software purchases.  There is confusion as to how faculty and staff should make their requests?  Who provides funding?  It was discussed line items need to be created in departmental budgets for technology needs.  Procurement procedures have previously been discussed and determined and are written into the Draft Technology Plan.  These procedures are included in the box below.  Following is the procedure to be followed when making technology requests:          

                A.  First and foremost, be sure all hardware and software needs are included in the departmental Unit Plan.

                B.  Complete “blue form” and send to departmental manager.  (This form is usually available on shelving located in the Manzanita hallway, nearest Arts & Sciences.)

                C.  Manager forwards “blue form” to Technology Services for formal review.

                D.  The Technology Director or appropriate designee will review the request within three working days and return to the department manager for purchase if so desired.

 

Columbia College Draft Technology Plan, Revised December 7, 2007

Procurement Procedures:

The College continues to require a formal review from Technology Services prior to the initiation of a purchase requisition for all computer technology and media systems purchases.  This will allow the College to maintain compatibility and standardization with existing technology.

 

Formal review is defined as sending the “blue form” (purchase request) with a formal quote attached for all equipment listed to the Director Information Technology and Media Services.  Included with the form and quote should be a clear equipment description and if possible, a brief explanation of the intended use of equipment. The Director or appropriate designee will review the request within three working days to ensure compatibility and appropriate standardization within the existing technology and College infrastructure.

 

Computer technology is defined as standard accepted computer systems, all computer software, all established computer components and peripherals, and all networking components.

 

Media Systems are defined as any system used to project, display or capture data and/or video and any sound equipment needed to augment this equipment.

 

4.  Web Focus Group

                As mentioned by Melissa Colon, Brian DeMoss will chair the Web Focus Group.  Brian is hoping to organize a Web Focus Group meeting the week of March 3.  In Gary Mendenhall’s absence, Gary asks this agenda item be moved to the next Technology Committee meeting.  There was some question as to who served on the Web Focus Group.  The Web Focus Group Membership Roster (Fall, 2006) is attached and will clarify original members.

 

5.  Other Agenda Items

                Melissa Colon discussed the district is giving some consideration to having WebCT hosted and maintained by WebCT Blackboard Company providing cost and time savings. 

 

                Melissa reports the District Education Plan has been presented to Dr. Smith earlier today, February 28, 2008.

               

                Melissa announced there will be CCC Confer training for staff to be trained as presenters (not attendees). This is a virtual meeting training limited to 24 seats and will be conducted by Pat James, the DE consultant, on Friday, March 7.  CCC Confer could be used as a tool to extend summer services, counseling, tutoring, online writing labs, etc. 

               

                Melissa also announced there will be an Instructional Training Center (ITC) Open House in March.

 

6.  Next Meeting Date

                Please note the location of the next meeting has reverted back to its original location due to extensive meeting and meeting location shifting.

 

                                                                                                Thursday, March 13, 2008

                                                                                                        1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

                                                                            Location:  Comm. Ed. – Manzanita Bldg.

 

 

 7.  Future Agenda Items

                Web Focus Group – Discuss committee resurrection, website improvement

                Faculty Web Pages Update